Individual

Notes
MY 13 Aug 2006 email to mom
[It says "more" on Pasquale ... but I cant find earlier email. Perhaps earlier stuff in a phone convration?]
Hello.
In the Philadelphia Passenger Lists, 1800-1945, on ancestry.com (not Ellis Island), Pasquale Agnes arrives
on the Ancona on 25 May 1910, age 34 (or 39 tough to read), married, from Serino, back in Italy has wife
Vittoria (so is hse a sister of Luigi Rodia? of Carmina Rodia?) So he would be born about 1875 or 1871?
With him is a person, last name Rodia, first name looks like Mose or Moie (cannot figure out what Italian
name that could be), age 16, single, back in Italy is his father Francesco Rodia.
Remember the notation of "Patterson" on the letters or other writing from Francesco Rodia to your brother
Frank?
In 1910, in Paterson, NJ is a Frank Rodia, age 40, b Italy, his wife Theresa, age 40 b Italy, and his brother
Angelo age 38 b Italy.
For my own edification, here is what I sent you in May of 2005:
***************
Hello.
Ancestry.com has put on its pay site the Philadelphia immigration records. The printed index has an entry
for "Rosohui Rodia" born c. 1886.... from very very sloppy writing which I examined it appears it is Rosalina
Rodia. The printed index show the birthplace as Servio, Italy. Again, when looking at the actual document
it's clear it is Serino, Italy.
Making out the rest of the record is difficult. Very bad handwriting.
It records her occupation as housewife. No one else in the family is with her. The printed index puts the tag
"friend" on the name of the next person in the list (Amello), but I don't see where the index maker gets this.
No one else on this page of the ship manifest is from Serino.
Oh, the name of the ship was the Mendoza, and it arrived
Under "name and complete address of nearest relative or friend in country whence alien came" it says
father (that is clearly written) and then two words, hard to read. The second appears to be Serino (so much
for complete addresss). I'm sure it's Serino because it's identical to the word used for place of residence
before sailing. The first word (after the word father) is not Rodia or Luigi or Louis. It appears to be
Commissini.... ??? Granted, I cannot read the writing but clearly the first two letters are Co, and that last
two are ni. In looking at the entries for other passengers the word in this position often is a first name. So....
what could this be? It isn't Luigi by any stretch of interpretation. Words ending in ni usually are LAST
names, not men's first names.
Now, it's unlikely there was another Rosalina Rodia born in Serino in 1886. If she didn't marry until 1918,
why would she be listed as a housewife? Well, perhaps because they used that word to describe a woman
who did not have any other job? Or was she a widow, married to someone named Rodia, and with a
surname of Commissini or whatever that word is? But if she was a widow, why not list her as a widow?
Very puzzling. Perhaps some of this makes more sense to you than it does to me.
Thanks.
Love,
Jim
*********************
Here is what we found on the Ellis Island records:
Rosalina Rodia arrived on the Cretic Jun 15 1906, the ship having left Naples, age 20 (so born c 1886), farm
laborer, from Serino, going to Philadelphia, first time in U.S., has $10, going to uncle Pasquale Agnes, 914
Sout 8th St Phila.
So I looked again at the "Roshui Rodia" entry that I had found on ancestry.com. This is definitely her,
arriving Dec 1912 on the Mendoza, age 26, single, says occupation is "housewife", says American, coming
from Serino, for "name and complete address of nearest relative of friend in country whence alien came" it
says father (that word is unmistakeably easy to read), then something difficult to read, then Serino. The
difficult word starts with a Co, then what appears to be m, n, or u in some combination, then possibly an i,
then clearly an n and an i.
So she also arrived, went back, and returned. The 1920 census says she arrived in 1912, and was
naturalized in 1913, but you can't do that in a year. It takes a waiting period, back then I think 7 years. So
her arrival in 1906 (the first time) would make her eligible for naturalization in 1913.
Now I am going to accumulate some other "Rodia from Serino" information that may or may not be helpful.
On 31 July 1912, on the ship America, there arrived in Philadelphia a Giusepee Rodia, listing father as
Gaetano Rodia. With Giuseppe is his son Davide. Both from Serino. Giuseppe heading to Phila., Davide to
Winslow, NJ Both are farm laborers. Giuseppe is 39, Davide 19
On 4 Sep 1913, on the Ancona, arrived in Philadelphia Antonio Rodia, age 18, a farm laborer, with Maria
Rodia, 24, hosewife, and her son Antionia Rosania or Rosaria (my guess: she was a widow and then
married Antonio Rodia). He gives his father as Gaetano Rodia, of Serino.
In the New York arrivals section of Ancestry.com's immigration set, on 3 May 1884, there arrived Salvatore
Rodia, age 32 (so born about 1852), from Italy, no town or relatives named. On 16 Oct 1889 there arrive
Guilia Rodia, from Italy, age 35. These older records don't give much other than name, age, country of
origin, number of suitcases. A lUcia Rodia arrived on 11 May 1886, age 26, single. There are others, but
this information isn't helping at this point.
I thought I had sent you the 1930 census information for your uncle. I can't find the email. So here it is
again. Peter Rody, paying $110 a month rent, 6503 Woodland Ave, brother in law Gabriel Clementone, his
sister in Petronilla, his niece is Lucy. Peter age 40 (b about 1890), Gabriel and Petronilla both 36 (b about
1894), married at age 32 (so married about 1926), Lucy 3 years, 3 months. Peter's year of emigration is
1904, Gabriel, 1920, Petronilla 1923. Gabriel is a stone mason, Peter is a barber. No one else on that
census page has a name that means anything.
I cannot find Peter on the 1920 census.
I went through the Ellis Island Rodia entries for people from Serino to see the names they gave for their
relatives. For all of these, they are from Serino and their relative in Italy is in Serino unless otherwise noted.
Because of the reference to Paterson NJ that your Uncle Francesco gave to your brother Frank, I am
particularly interested in the people who went to Paterson.
Vito Rodia, arr 1 may 1904, age 19, carpenter, brother Aniello in Paterson NJ
Filomena Rodia arr 25 Jun 1920, 28, single, going to Philadelphia, mother is Eusatcchia Rocco Rodia, in
Serino. She is going to her brother Liberato Rodia, 1427 Garskson St in Phila
Beniamino Rodia, arr with Filomena, age 11, going with aunt Teresa Masi (who is rejoining her husband),
and thus says going to uncle. Relative in Serino is his uncle Giovanni Masi (who is brother of Teresa).
Carmine Rodia, age 8, brother of Beniamino, same info
So my guess is that Beniamino and Carmine are children of a Rodia man who married Teresa's sister or
Giovanni's sister, and whose parents died.
No, I'm wrong. It shows Teresa Masi's husband as Salvatore Rodia, in Bridgeport Conn, and the two boys
as children of Salvatore.
Also with them, but crossed out is Vincenzo Rodia, 16, relative in Italy is his grandfather Bartolomeo Cirino
(his mother's father???) He is heading to Bridgeport Conn to his mother Consolato Rodia.
On 15 May 1912 there arrives (a different) Vincenzo Rodia, 25, married, shoemaker, wife Maria Rodia, going
to Paterson NJ, where he ill go to his brother Aniello Rodia (see Vito, above).
On 14 Jul 1920 arrives Vincenza Rodia, 16, going to Bridgeport where her mother Consolata is. Her relative
in Italy is "grandfather Rodia" in Serino.
In 1907, Umberto Rodia arrived from Avellino, but when I go to the page, it is the second page of the ship
manifest, but when I go to previous page I don't get the first part of it.
On 31 Oct 1906 there arrive Frank Rodia, 41, and his wife Teresina, 38, American citizens, naturalized 2
Feb 1906 in Pasaic Co., NJ, returning to their home in Paterson, NJ
On 27 Dec 1921 there arrives Teresia Rodia, no age given, but stamped under 16, relative in Italy
"grandfather Rodia" She is born in Serino and is going to Paterson to be with her father Achille Rodia 481 or
48I Preakness Ave in Paterson. Her mother is with her, name Matilde Solimine, age 22, a dress maker
On 16 Jan 1900 arrive Francesco Rodia and his wife Teresa, he 34, she 33, going to Paterson, to her
brother (and his brother in law) whose name I cannot figure out, 21 Ellison St in Paterson
On 25 Jun 1901 arrives Salvatore Rodia, 24, laborer, going on to Chicago to his brother in law, who paid for
his passage.
On 25 May 1906 arrives Salvatore Rodia, 20, laborer, going to Bridgeport Conn, to his cousin Donato
Tedeschi
On 26 Feb 1892 arrives Salvatore Rodia, 26, cannot read occupation, no other helpful info.
On 15 Jun 1906 arrives Rosolino Rodia, age 20. See above. (going to uncle Pasquale Agnes, 1161 7th St
Phila Pa
On 12 Apr 1893 arrives Raphaele Rodia, 32, and Carmine Rodia, 16, peasants, no other helpful info
On 6 May 1902 arrives Rafaele Rodia, 31, peasant, going to Philadelphia, "brother Rodia" on Franklyn St
1104 (didn't we see this somewhere else, Franklin St???)
On 8 May 1911 arrives Luigi Rodia 24 and Pietro Rodia 21, Luigi a farmer, Pietro a barber. These are your
uncles. Relative in Italy both list mother Carmina. Pietro previously in USA Apr 1911. Luigi puts destination
as "brother 1141 S 8th St" Pietro I cannot read. Says 1912 Morris sSt. and then something that I'll guess
means he's going back to his home.
On 27 Apr 1904 arrives Pietro Rodia, 15, single, barber. Your uncle. Going to his uncle Pasquale Agnese,
1180 South 8th St in Phila. My guess this is Pietro's first arrival.
On 12 Aug 1921 arrives Pietro Rodia, 31, single, cleared by Embassy in Rome, was naturalized in Phila 25
Apr 1918, lives 2920 N Ringold St in Phila
On 8 Sep 1922 arrives Petronilla Rodia, 28, "hwife". This is your aunt. Relative in Italy is brother Francesco.
Going to home of her brother Pietro Rodia, 2920 Ringold St.
On 8 Jan 1902 arrives Pelligrino Rodia, 24, peasant, going to a town in NJ whose name I cannot read,
where he will meet up with his father Salvatore.
On 31 Jan 1911 arrives Pelligrino Rodia, 31, Carlo Rodia, 20, and Ferdinando Rodia, 19, the nearest
relatives for Pellegrino is wife Latata (cannot read) Simone, for Carlo, father Paolo, and for Ferdinando,
father Salvatore. They are heading for Seattle (there are Rodias in Seattle even now and in the 1900--1930
census). Relatives here: for Pellegriino, cousin EusatacchiopRodia, for Carlo, br in law Angelo Massa, for
Ferdinando, cousin Antonio Rodia.
On 22 Mar 1921 arrives Pellegrino Rodia, 17, shoemaker, relative in Serino is his mother Marinella, going to
Chicago, going to uncle Giovanni De Piano, 1431 Spruce St in Chicago.
On 13 Apr 1896 arrives Pasq (Pasquale?) Rodia, 22, shoemaker, going to New York. No origin town given.
On 11 Apr 1901 arrives Orazio Rodia, 41, relative in Serino is sister Teresina Rodia. Going to Conn. Going to
brother in law but cannot read the bad handwriting.
On 11 Mar 1915 arrives Mariann Rodia, 24, and her dtr Argentina Rodia, 2, says baby's relative in Serino is
her father Antonio. Marianna going to husband Vincenzo Rodia in N.Y. so I'd guess that Antonio is father of
Marianna.
On 21 Dec 1895 arrives Marian Geola Rodia (Maria Guilia?), but link takes me to a page that is a different
ship. She is age 51. With her is Maria Ausia Rodia, age 7. Same bad link.
On 15 Jun 1907 (on another voyage of the Cretic) arrive Filamena Rodia, 25, and Maria Rodia, 22, he is a
laborer. Going to her brother Giovanni in a town in NY the name of which I cannot read.
Also on that list, three names down, is Luigi Rodia, 18, single, laborer, going to cousin Giovanni Rodia in
that same unreadable town in N.Y.
On 3 Oct 1900 five Rodia children arrive Ma Lucia, 23, Maria, 14, Ernesto, 13, Liberato, 11, Giuseppa, 6,
going to what appears to be Philadelphia (writing on top of writing), to their father, who paid for their tickets.
On 24 Feb 1916 arrive Cateraina DiPiano (that name popped up in a previous entry). She is 28 and married.
With her is son Angelo, 11, daughter1 Felicia, 9, daughter Maria, 9. daughter Giuseppina, 5. Relative in
Serino is an uncle something or other DiPiano (guessing at that name). Going to Bridgeport Conn, to her
mother (kids grandmother), cannot read name but it is not Rodia.
On 31 Jan 1907 arrives Maddelina Rodia, 24, going to Birmingham to husband Michele La Guardia.
On 7 Jun 1899 arrives Maddelena Rodia, 30, coming as a bride to meet her husband in Boston, cannot read
names VERY BAD WRITING.
On 27 May 1914 arrive Luigia Rodia, 30, housewife, relative in Serino sister Georgia Rodia. Has "Tedesco"
next to her name (her married name? yes) Going to Bridgeport, Conn.
Also on this voyage, several names before hers is Vito Rodia, 29, joiner (that's a carpenter), in Serino is his
wife Alfonsina De Feo, going to Bridgeport, Conn.
On 27 Jul 1907 arrives Luigi Rodia, farmer, in Serino is wife Gaetana Rodia, going to friend Federico Rocco
in Dumbar Pa.
On 8 Jul 1903 arrives Luigi Rodia, 34, married, farmer, going to Paterson, NJ, was in US in 1892 and 1900,
going to his father in law Marco Frasca.
On 22 Jun 1899 arrives Lucia Rodia, 29, married, with children [cannot read] and Domenico, 7 and 4,
respectively, going to Mt Pleasant, Pa to huband Paolo
On 9 Jun 1904 arrives Lorenzo Rodia, 55, married, farmer, going to Dumbar Pa to son CarmineAntonio
Rodia (Dumbar is in Fayette Co).
On same page, 6 names earlier, is Filippo Rodia, 25, single, farmer, also going to Dumbar Pa to cousin
Lorenzo Rodia
On 18 May 1905 there arrived Lorenzo Rodia, 31, married, laborer, going to Dumbar, to brother in loaw, who
is not named.
On 31 Dec 1902 there arrived Lorenzo Rodia, 28, married, go to Dumbar, to cousin, name cannot read but
not Rodia
On same page, 2 names previously is Carmine Antonio Rodia (saw that earlier), going to Mars, Pa (out near
Dumbar, I think), to cousin, name cannot read but not Rodia.
On 2 May 1906 arrived Liberato Rodia, 17, farmer, goint to Dumbar, Pa, to uncle Luigi Rodia
On 8 Dec 1904 arrived Liberata Rodia, 44, widow, to Paterson NJ to brother in law Francesco Rodia.
On 10 Jul 1907 arrived Angela (index says Laveno Rodia), 29, relative in Serino is father Francesco Rodia,
going to Philadelphia. Pages so messed up I cannot find sheet with name of destination relative.
On 26 Mar 1913 arrived Giuseppe Rodia, 31, farm laborer, relative in Serino is wife Alfrissina (cannot read
more sloppy writing), going to a town in Pa I cannot read (Norristown?) to cousin Antonio Rodia, in that
town, definitely ends in "town" but the first part is a mess. BAD handwriting.
On 28 Jul 1902 arrived Giuseppe Rodia, 28, farmer, going to Dumbar Pa, to cousin Luigi di Maio
On 18 Jun 1902 arrived Giusppe Rodia, 18, farmer, going to Philadelphia, to cousin (name blotted out with
some sort of smear, and copy is bad to begin with) Could be Lorenzo but not sure.
On 9 Apr 1920 arrived Giovanni Rodia, 19, barber, relative in Serino is father Raffaele, going to Philadelphia,
to uncle Leonardo Grasso 1835 South St, Philadelphia
On 22 Nov 1911 arrived Giovanni Rodia, 17, carpenter, relative in Serino is father Carmine, going to
Paterson, NJ to brother, more bad writing, Alfonso??
On 27 May 1906 arrived Giovanni Rodia, 24, going to Bridgeport, to cousin Teresa cannot read last name,
not Rodia
On 1 Nov 1907 arrived Francesco Rodia, 26, farm laborer, Felicia his wife, 27, and dtr Giacoma, 3, his father
in Serino is Domenico, going to Chicago, to his uncle Sabato Rodia 16 Ewing Lane???? Chicago
On 25 May 1904 arrived Gaetano Rodia, 39, farmer, married, going to Philadelphia, to his son Francesco
Rodia, 424 South 4th Street.
On 8 Dec 1908 arrived Francesco Rodia, 41, with wife Teresa, 38, and nice Addea, 4, he and wife are US
citizens
On 16 Apr 1903 arrived Francesco Rodia, 17, single, farm laborer, going to Philadelphia, to his father
Gaetano Rodia, 1190 South Street.
On 9 Jun 1904 arrived Filippo Rodia, 25, single, farmer, going to Dumbar, to cousin Lorenzo Rodia
On 2 Aug 1900 arrived Donato Rodia, 40, married, going to unnamed brother in law.
On 25 Mar 1916 arrived Consolato Rodia, 42, married, farmer, in Serino is wife Giovanna, going to
Bridgeport, Conn, to friend Salvatore Rodia
On 26 Nov 1900 arrived Carolina Rodia, 22, single, going to uncle whose name I cannot read, New York City
On 31 Jan 1910 arrived Carmine Rodia, 29, married, farmer, in Serino is wife Maria, going to Philadelphia, to
brother Giovanni, 914 S 8th St
On 2 Jul 1917 arrived Carmina Rodia, 25, married, housewife, in Serino is her father Giovanni Rodia, with
her are her sons Alberto Manzo and Vittori Manzo, 14 and 8 respectively, going to father/husband
Angelantonio Manzo 945 W Tayler St, Chicago
On 29 Nov 1924 arrived Benedetta Rodia, 22, married, housewife, relative in Serino is mother Maria Michela
Giaquinto, going to New York to husband Giuseppe Solimine (surname looks familiar: yes but not him)
On 11 Feb 1907 arrived Antonio Rodia, 24, single, farm laborer, going to Dumbar, Pa. to his cousin Aniello
Grasso
On 16 Jan 1900 arrived Antonio Rodia, 31, married, going to Dumbar, Pa, to brother Giuseppe Rodia
On 3 Oct 1902 arrived Antonio Rodia, 29, married, going to Paterson, NJ, to brother (it looks like) Carmine
On 3 May 1906 arrived Angelo Rodia, 17, single, farm laborer, going to Chicago, to brother Francesco
On 27 Sep 1911 arrived Rose de Piano, 23, and Angelo Rodia, 2, going to Philadelphia, to husband
Federico Rodia, 1114 S 7th Street
On 19 Aug 1921 arrived Achille Rodia (saw name earlier), 25, musician, relative in Serino is wife Solimene,
going to Paterson, brother in law Michele Carrafiello 481 Brokress Ave in Paterson
?-------------
Now to find this Pasquale Agnes [Agnesi in Italian], uncle of Pietro, Rosalina, Francesco, Luigi, and
Petronilla Rodia:
There is a record of his arrival 18 May 1905, age 33, peasant, married, from Serino, bought own ticket,
going to brother in law Raffaele Brescia, 1104 South Franklyn St in Philadelphia. AHA: remember this
record: "On 6 May 1902 arrives Rafaele Rodia, 31, peasant, going to Philadelphia, "brother Rodia" on
Franklyn St 1104 (didn't we see this somewhere else, Franklin St???)" So what is the connection
here?????
The next passenger listed after Pasquale Agnes is Michele Ferderame or Terderame, 36, married, peasant,
from Serino, ticket bought by cousin, going to "cousin Rodia Salv." (Salvatore?) 1134 South 7th St in Phila.
If you look back in the Ellis Island records, three other entries had people who landed and went to South 7th
Street:
"On 9 Apr 1901 arrive Gaetano Rodia, 44, and Salvatore Rodia, 49, whose names are separated by a Rocco
de Lucia. Both Rodias are laborers. From Serino, of course! Gaetano is headed for Philadelphia, Salvatore
to Winston Junction, N.J. Gaetano previously in the US in 1898, Salvatore in 1897. Gaetano going to
residence of his son Giuseppe. 616 South 7th Street in Philadelphia (that's close to where the other Phila
Rodias are). Salvatore going to home of his son Antonio."
and
"On 15 Jun 1906 arrives Rosolino Rodia, age 20. See above. (going to uncle Pasquale Agnes, 1161 7th St
Phila Pa"
and
"On 27 Sep 1911 arrived Rose de Piano, 23, and Angelo Rodia, 2, going to Philadelphia, to husband
Federico Rodia, 1114 S 7th Street"
[Wouldn't it be nice if we could search Ellis Island records by the destination street address or the names of
the relatives?????]
So this Pasquale Agnes (who definitely is the uncle) is born about 1872 (1905 minus 33).
There is an entry for arrival of a Pasquale Agnes 13 May 1893, age 32 (so born about 1871), occupation
tiller??, destination New York. This could be him, and the 1905 arrival could be a later return from a visit
back to Italy. No: b 1861
That he was going back and forth is evident from this entry:
Arriving on 10 Jul 1899, Pasquale Agnes, 27 (meaning born about 1872), single, laborer, to join his sister
Lucie 35 [cannot read address]. Recall Petronilla named her daughter Lucie.
Then again, a record of his arrival 2 Mar 1897, age 25 (b about 1872), single, cannot find manifest page.
Finally, a record of arrival for Pasquale Agnes, 28 Apr 1894, age 33 (born about 1871), laborer, going to
Philadelphia.
?---------------------
Now to add to the puzzle pieces searching census records focusing on Pasquale Agnesi and Rodias in
Penna and NJ
1910 census, in Winslow NJ, Antonio Rodia 75, wife Agatha 60, son Antonio Jr 40, dtrinlaw Carmon 32, all b
Italy, grandson Antonio 1 b NJ. Another family in Winslow headed by Antonio 30, wife Maggie 27, both b
Italy, children Samuel 8, Rosie 7, Mary 6 all b NJ
1910 census in Paterson NJ Frank 40, wife Theresa 40, brother Angelo 38, all b Italy
1900 census in Winslow NJ Carlo Rodia 54, wife Maddalena 61, bothe b Italy
1900 census in Caln, Chester Co, Pa, Louis Rodia, 25 b Italy, boarder
1900 census in Philadelphia, Samuel 22, b Italy, Dominico, 20 b Italy, boarder, Joseph 22, b Italy, boarder
1920 census there are more Rodias showing up. This entry is of interest, it is Mose Rodia (see Ellis Island
entry where he arrived with Pasquale Agnes, and is son of Francesco Rodia)
In listing he is 24 (s b 1895/6), b Italy, leather factory operator, arrived 1908,
wife Lena age 29, arrived 1908, neither she nor husband is yet a citizen
children, b Penna (and I've seen these names elsewhere, including obituaries):
Frank age 4
Rose age 3
Louis age 1 yr 10 mos
Margaret 4 mos
The first three names match names in your mother's family: Frank, Rose, Louis. Coincidence?
NOOOOOOOOOO! Remember, Mose arrives with Pasquale Agnes(e) who is described as an uncle of your
mother and her siblings. DEFINITELY the same family.
On his WW1 registration card he says he was born 7 Apr 1895 in Giffoni, Italy and is a letter worker for
Surpass Letteler at Westmoreland and Allegheny.
There are some other Rodia families in Phila, several of which *might* link to Ellis Island records, but this
one might help:
Salvatore Rodia, age 29, b Italy, arrived 1910, naturalized 1915, wife Josephine, 22, arrived 1910, naturalized
1915, no children listed.
At same address is Joseph Rodia, 36,b Italy, arrived 1910, naturalized 1915, wife Silcetta (bad handwriting
but see below) 31, arrived 1910, naturalized 1917.
Next door to them is Stanislaus Rodia, 65, b Italy, arrived 1895, naturalized 1902, wife Jennie 67, b Italy,
arrived 1893, naturalized 1902
They are all living on South 8th Street!!! The first two at 1534 and the last couple at 1532.
On the 1910 census an entry that must relate to the following Ellis Island record:
"On 3 Oct 1900 five Rodia children arrive Ma Lucia, 23, Maria, 14, Ernesto, 13, Liberato, 11, Giuseppa, 6,
going to what appears to be Philadelphia (writing on top of writing), to their father, who paid for their tickets."
Stanley Rodia, age 57 (b about 1843), married for 28 years, 11 children, 6 alive, born in Italy, he is a
BARBER! Living 1541 South 8th Street.
His wife is Jennie, age 56. Born in Italy.
Living with them are children (all b Italy) Jennie 16 (b c 1883), Earnest 22 (b c 1880), and Liberato 17 (b c
1882). Jennie is Giuseppa. Slight age discrepancies, which is not unusual.
In the same house is Joseph Rodia, 26 (b about 1873), his wife Celesta, 22,, both b Italy, married one year,
one child, Jennie age 10 mos, b in Penna.
Liberato is probably the Liberaty b 3 Jun 1889, d Jan 1966, per social security records and probably is
father or uncle of Liberato E. (Earnest?) Rodia who was b 25 Feb 1924 and died 24 Jan 2001 in
Swarthmore.
On his ww1 draft registration card, Giuseppe Rodia of 1541 South 8th St., b 27 March 1883 lists his
occupation as !!! band master !!!. He lists nearest relative as wife Celesta.
**********
On the 1930 census there is a Patrick Agnese in Newark, NJ, born in Italy in 1871. Patrick is NOT an Italian
first name. Patrick is the English version of Pasquale. Is this "our" Pasquale Agnese?
The census page is faded. It appears to say he arrived in 1900. Considering how many times he went back
and forth, this could be his arrival most recent before his naturalization.
His wife is Fulia R., age 48 (b about 1881). Born in Italy. Married when she was 21 and he was 32, which
would be 1903.
Children, all b in New Jersey: Joseph A, 25, Janelle M, cannot read age (nor can indexer), Nicholas, and a
daughter in law Mary 26 (who married Nicholas). There also is a Nicolas A. Agnese, age 69,
I cannot read occupations.
============
Trying to put the puzzle pieces together.
We know Pasquale Agnese is the uncle of your mother and her brothers and sisters. He was born in 1871
or 1872, and made several trips to and from the U.S. When your mother arrived, she gave his house on
South 8th street as her destination. Your uncle Peter gave his house on South 8th Street as his destination
on his first arrival. When your uncle Luigi arrives with Pietro, he puts "brother" at South 8th Street as his
destination, probably referring to Peter who I'm guessing was living with or near his uncle.
At some point Pasquale moved to Newark in northern New Jersey. This is not far from Paterson, where
some Rodias settled and to which your uncle Francesco in Italy made reference when communicating with
your brother.
This Pasquale had a sister Lucie, who already was in the United States.
When Pasquale arrived in 1905, he gave as his destination 1104 South Franklyn Street, where is brother in
law Raffaele Brescia lived. This Brescia guy could be the husband of a sister of Pasquale. If we assume
Pasquale was married to a Rodia (a sister of Luigi or Carmina), then Brescia could not be a brother of his
wife. He might be a brother of the husband of a sister of Pasquale, but that's unlikely. What's more
important is that when Raffaele Rodia arrived in 1902, he gave his destination as 1104 South Franklyn
Street where is "brother Rodia" lived. This MIGHT be Salvatore Rodia.
So who is Michele Ferderame or Terderame who calls Salvatore Rodia a cousin? I cannot find either variant
of the spelling as a surname anywhere. Verderame?
OK, that's as far as I get tonight. It's after 11:00. Maybe more ideas will pop into my head.
Have fun
Love
Jim
Another email 10 Nov 2009 from Mom:
No...on..birth certificate....name is Jennie Zappone Continuing relatives on Rodia side of family: Had
uncles: Peter Rodia
(who also used name of Peter Rody when he was a salesman for a magazine company), Uncle Francesco
Rodia (in Italy
was a Professor, taught music, had a music band (sorry, I do not know what instrument he played) and
Uncle Louis Rodia
who died (I believe in 1918), anyway close to the time my brother Nicholas was born and therefore that is
why my brother
Nicholas had middle name of Louis. (none of the rest of us were given middle names at birth) and then
there was Aunt
Petronella (spelling) Rodia, and Rosalina Rodia. Oh, cousin Lucy was Aunt Petronella's daughter. She is
the only cousin
on Rodia side of family. (Forgot to mention that Uncle Peter was a barber. I used to go to his barber shop
at 65th and
Woodland Ave for haircuts. I have a photo of him in his barber shop) (Did not know much about Uncle
Louis other than
he died....not sure if heart attack)
---------------------
Recall this:
With him is a person, last name Rodia, first name looks like Mose or Moie (cannot figure out what Italian
name that could be), age 16, single, back in Italy is his father Francesco Rodia.
and this:
1920 census there are more Rodias showing up. This entry is of interest, it is Mose Rodia (see Ellis Island
entry where he arrived with Pasquale Agnes, and is son of Francesco Rodia)
In listing he is 24 (s b 1895/6), b Italy, leather factory operator, arrived 1908,
wife Lena age 29, arrived 1908, neither she nor husband is yet a citizen
children, b Penna (and I've seen these names elsewhere, including obituaries):
Frank age 4
Rose age 3
Louis age 1 yr 10 mos
Margaret 4 mos
The first three names match names in your mother's family: Frank, Rose, Louis. Coincidence? NOOOO!
Remember, Mose arrives with Pasquale Agnes(e) who is described as an uncle of your mother and her
siblings. DEFINITELY the same family.
On his WW1 registration card he says he was born 7 Apr 1895 in Giffoni, Italy and is a letter worker for
Surpass Letteler at Westmoreland and Allegheny.
Now I find naturalization record. Mose Rodia, b 7 April 1895 in Giffoni, Italy, arrived on Ancona 25 May 1910
, had lived in Serino, leather worker, lives 819 Moore St., wife's name Litigia, b 14 Apr 1897 in Sarno, Italy,
children (all b Phila): Frank, 18 Dec 1915, Rose 21 Dec 1916, Louis 25 Apr 1918, Margaret 5 Sep 1919
Now, here is information from the naturalization petition of Pietro Antonio Rodia (mom's uncle), resides 2199
W Cambria St, barber, b 12 July 1889 Rivottoti, Italy, arrived 27 Apr 1904 on the Neckar. Get this: one of the
witnesses on his behalf is James Agnes, barber, 1629 Porter St. ... a SON of Pasquale Agnesi?
The naturalization record of John Rodia is interesting because he is born 24 Apr 1882 in Ribottati, and
because he is a barber (as are many of the Rodias in Phila).He arrived 23 May 1889 on the Torlora,
ismarried to Maria, and has children, all b Phila, Caterina b 1 Jan 1905, Pasquale 16 Jan 1906, Vincenza
21 Mar 1910, George 24 Nov 1918, Carmela 21 Jan 1922.
continued in Carmina's entry
Marriage ToRODIA Carmina ()
m.
NotesChildren by RODIA Carmina RODIA NOT CHILD BUT PLACE TO HOLD NOTES ()
RODIA Luigi (20 Jun 1882 - 7 Jul 1882)
RODIA Luigi Antonio (20 Apr 1884 - 1918)
RODIA Rosalina (25 Feb 1886 - 22 Oct 1942)
RODIA [ CHG TO RODY] Pietro Antonio (Peter) (12 Jul 1889 - 6 Oct 1946)
RODIA Antonio (18 Apr 1891 - 27 Feb 1895)
RODIA Mario (16 Jan 1893 - 16 Jan 1893)
RODIA Petronilla (14 Sep 1894 - 1964)
RODIA Antonio (14 Dec 1896 - 2 Oct 1899)
RODIA Francesco (6 Oct 1898 - 1959)